Golden Arrows edged Marumo Gallants by the odd goal in five in a thrilling DStv Premiership match played at a wet Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Abafana Bes’thende came from a goal down to claim the victory, inspired by a fine performance from Knox Mutizwa, who registered two assists and scored what proved to be the decisive strike.
The result ensured Arrows did not suffer a hat-trick of league defeats (after reverses at the hands of Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United in their last two outings) and moved up to ninth place on the standings, with only goal difference separating them from the top half.
As for Bahlabane ba Ntwa, this result extended their winless run to seven matches and saw them stay rock bottom of the standings, despite having played at least one match more than fellow strugglers such as Stellenbosch FC, Swallows FC and TS Galaxy.
After early half-chances, the teams settled into a rhythm which saw Gallants enjoying more of the ball and looking to probe the home side’s defence.
Bahlabane ba Ntwa were close to an opening goal with two notable efforts around the 20-minute mark. The first saw Ranga Chivaviro head on target, with his effort skidding off the wet turf and forcing goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana into an awkward save to deflect the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
That set piece then saw a volleyed effort on target from Ismael Toure, whose clean strike would have thundered into the back of the net were it not for a brave intervention from Divine Lunga, as he heroically headed clear off his own goal line.
Arrows were somewhat stung by those close shaves and began to find an attacking edge of their own, with Pule Mmodi drawing a fine save from Marumo goalkeeper Washington Arubi with a shot from outside the box on 32 minutes.
However, the visitors were soon awarded a penalty for a late lunge on Katlego Otladisa by Lunga. Celimpilo Ngema took on the spot kick and saw his effort saved by Mlungwana, but the rebound looped straight back to the midfielder, who calmly nodded home for 1-0 in the 39th minute.
A goal down at the break, Arrows almost found an equaliser within 60 seconds of the restart in the second half, as Knox Mutizwa’s low shot skidded on target before being deflected wide by the slightest of touches from Arubi’s foot.
Abafana Bes’thende didn’t have to wait much longer to find the back of the net, as Nqobeko Dlamini provided a crisp, left-footed volley to finish from Mutizwa’s free kick delivery for 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
Arrows then claimed the lead with a fine team goal on the hour mark, as a swift passing move ended with Mutizwa registering a second assist, as he teed up Mmodi to place a right-footed shot beyond the left hand of Arubi for 2-1.
The home side extended their lead in the 71st minute, taking advantage of a miscommunication in defence between Arubi and Lebohang Mabotja, as Mutizwa chipped a shot into the back of the net for 3-1 to add a goal to his two assists.
Arrows appeared to be well in control of the game, but Gallants pulled a goal back on 77 minutes when Chivaviro got on the end of Lesiba Nku’s corner kick delivery and headed home from close range to make it 3-2.
Bahlabane ba Ntwa pushed hard for a third goal in what remained of the game, but Arrows were able to hold out and secure all three points.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this weekend, with Gallants hosting Orlando Pirates on Saturday night, while Arrows will visit TS Galaxy late on Sunday afternoon